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Some early comments on the Orioles official Facebook page read: “I won’t wear purple to stick up for LGBT youth I think less of your organization for promoting the lifestyle ... why can’t it just be against bullying young people for any reason” and “Just win baseball games OK.”

Followed by "We will continue to only wear purple to support our football team"

Is it related to actual social concern by a specific member of MLB HQ or internal market research that suggested differentiating baseball from sports viewed as well, shall we say less accepting of the non-macho - football, basketball, hockey and soccer - where player and fan comments regarding sexual orientation are open, rather coarse and more prevalent?

some fans of the Baltimore Orioles couldn’t understand why their O’s were supporting the LGBT cause instead of “stick[ing] to baseball

I'd be intrigued to ask that subset of Orioles (or any other team) fans whether they're OK with clubs constantly showing support for our troops instead of sticking to baseball, football, etc. Just as a test of how deep that "sticking to [sport]" argument goes for them.

Of course, clubs could always show their support for our LGBT troops. That might make everyone happy.

I'd be intrigued to ask that subset of Orioles (or any other team) fans whether they're OK with clubs constantly showing support for our troops instead of sticking to baseball, football, etc. Just as a test of how deep that "sticking to [sport]" argument goes for them.

To be fair, a hate all forms of non-baseball distractions equally at the game. Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, ceremonial first pitches, all that pink and powder blue cancer awareness gear, little kids taking the field with the players, kiss cams, ads constantly dancing around on the jumbotron, music blaring whenever there isn't a pitch being thrown, etc.

I couldn't care less what they do with their facebook pages, though, as I'm not shelling out to buy a ticket for that. I don't mind a team using its high profile to pimp deserving social causes, just don't let it distract me from something I paid to see.

Is it related to actual social concern by a specific member of MLB HQ or internal market research that suggested differentiating baseball from sports viewed as well, shall we say less accepting of the non-macho - football, basketball, hockey and soccer - where player and fan comments regarding sexual orientation are open, rather coarse and more prevalent?

The NHL was actually the first league to embrace LGBT fans and players, I think. Some of that was just coincidence, as the family of a big league insider jump-started the movement, but also, Canadians.